What is an Adaptation?
In simple words, adaptation is mainly the adjustments of the organism to its environment in order to either improve its chances of survival in that environment. The process of adaptation is critical for the survival of all living species. Without this mechanism, organisms will be unable to adapt to changing environments and will be wiped out.
Adaptation can take place in variety within the organism. Some of these changes take place through genetics, dispersal, and other respective changes. The adaptation of some plants to survive in the desert is a good illustration of adaptation. However, because deserts are hot environments, this is an example of structural behaviour.
The migration of animals is another example of behavioural adaptation. The shift that occurs at the phenotypic level is referred to as adaptation. The changes brought by the adaptation are reversible in nature. Also, the changes brought by the adaptation are reversible in nature.
What is Evolution?
In simple words, the main focus of evolution is the organism’s growth and development. It can also be defined as the theory of how the organism has grown and developed from the past. One of the prominent examples of evolution is how the cellphone has changed over time.
It reflects the adaptation of the organism to the changing environment that results in altered genes, noble threads, and new species. Evolution theory is based on the concept that all species of living organisms are connected with each other and they do change with time. However, evolution is very unpredictable, and eviction might take several years.
To put it another way, it is a gradual and steady process. Yet, evolution has proved to be a powerful process that leads to rapid changes in the features or the attributes of an organism. Also, evolution is the change that occurs at the genotypic level. And, the changes brought by evolution are permanent and irreversible.
Difference Between Adaptation and Evolution
- Adaptation is mainly the adjustments of the organism to its environment to improve its chances of survival. While evolution is primarily the growth and development process of the organism. It can also be defined as the theory of how the organism has grown and developed.
- Adaptation is a rapid process and can even be noticed in the same generation. While evolution is a very slow process, and takes multiple generations to see the evident changes.
- Adaptation happens as a result of environmental factors. At the same time, evolution occurs as a result of speciation.
- The shift that occurs at the phenotypic level is referred to as adaptation. On the other hand, evolution is the change that occurs at the genotypic level.
- The changes brought by the adaptation are reversible. In contrast, the changes brought by evolution are permanent and irreversible.
Comparison Between Adaptation and Evolution
| Parameters of Comparison | Adaptation | Evolution |
| Definition | Adaptation may be defined as the emergence of new characteristics to suit the changes in the environment or the habitat. | While evolution may be defined as the change in the heritable characteristic of an organism throughout the successive generation. |
| Change | The term “adaptation” refers to the process of transformation at the phenotypic level. | On the other hand, evolution is a process of change at the genotypic level. |
| Long or Short Term | Adaptation is a temporary shift. | On the other hand, evolution is a long-term transformation. |
| Process of Formation | Adaptation is a rapid process and can be even noticed in the same generation. | While evolution is a very slow process and takes multiple generations to see the evident changes. |
| Reversible or Irreversible Process | The changes brought by the adaptation are reversible in nature. | While the changes brought by evolution are permanent and irreversible. |